1989-1990
Sega's second Genesis games poster... ... and their third!

My barrel is bigger than yours...
Granada
Renovation
4 megabits

Renovation was one of the Genesis system's earliest and most prolific supporters. I've heard good things about Granada, but have sadly never actually played it. Cue the violins...

"It's a top-notch shooter; if you liked Vindicators, you'll probably love Granada."
- William R. Trotter, Game Player's Sega Genesis Strategy Guide April/May 1991

Polygons on a Genesis. Who'd've thunk it?
Hard Drivin'
Tengen
2 megabits

Hard Drivin' may well have been the first fully polygonal racing game on a home system. To find a definitive answer would require research, though, so I'm prepared to preserve this as one of life's little mysteries...

"The game's only drawback is its lack of the brilliant color and contrast that characterize most Genesis games."
- Richard Lashley, Game Player's Sega Genesis Strategy Guide February/March 1991

"The home version leaves a lot to be desired. The control is hard to get used to and it just doesn't seem to move fast enough. I'll take 220 mph Monaco GP over this turtle."
- Mike, Mega Play January/February 1991

John Madden Football
John Madden Football
Electronic Arts
4 megabits

I'm prepared to admit that I know absolutely nothing about football. Apparently this game was good enough to spawn a gazillion "sequels" and pretty much singlehandedly keep Electronic Arts in the black for the last decade or so, so it must have been pretty good...

"John Madden Football is a fine electronic rendition of one of America's most popular (and toughest!) sports. Even video aficionados not into sports will get a kick out of it."
- Clayton Walnum, VG&CE January 1991

"John Madden Football is a triumph, striking the perfect balance between strategy and action. Few simulations of any sport are practically as much fun to watch as they are to play, but John Madden Football is just that - and a great deal more."
- Brian Carroll, Game Player's January 1991

8-mega power!
Strider
Sega
8 megabits

Strider was a huge game for Sega, both in terms of its cartridge size (at 8 megabits Strider was the largest home video game ever produced at the time) and its impact on the Genesis system's street-cred as the system for arcade conversions.

I think that this game goes a long way in demonstrating that many early Genesis arcade ports suffered not because of the system's inherent weaknesses, but because of stingy cartridge sizes. The mind reels at what could have been achieved had Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Super Hang-On or Phantasy Star II been able to make use of an 8 megabit ROM. Well, okay... MY mind reels at that possibility...

"In the cart world, eight megabits is an incredible amount, and Strider takes full advantage of it, because it's an astounding game. The pace of the game play, the thundering sound effects and the bold, brilliant graphics make Strider truly an arcade-quality game."
- Joshua Mandel, VG&CE January 1991

"After playing this game, I was speechless! Nearly every aspect of the hit coin-op arcade game was jammed into this little Genesis cart! Bravo, Sega, for this excellent translation!"
- Dave, Mega Play January/February 1991

Parting Thoughts...

"We seriously doubt that the Super Famicom will cause the other game consoles to dry up and blow away; on the contrary, the feeling is that Nintendo is missing a great opportunity to truly dominate the market (more than it already has) by not releasing the Super Famicom sooner."
- Reader Mail, VG&CE September 1990

"I think there are two chances of Sega going out of business in the foreseeable future: slim and none. And slim, as they say, just left town. If fear of Sega going bust is your only reason for not buying a Genesis, I'd say stop worrying."
- The Game Doctor, VG&CE September 1990

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